Background & Aim: The Clinical Teaching Partner model (CTP) integrates theoretical knowledge with professional skills and brings the reality to workplaces. Closing educational and practical aspects in nursing discipline has been a challenging goal for nursing which requires cooperation between faculty instructors with nurse practitioners such collaboration will led to development and promotion of nursing discipline. Therefore selecting an effective and efficient approach in order to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experiences would be crucial for nursing profession. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of CTP on nursing students&apos clinical skills outcome.

Methods & Materials: A quasi experimental, only post test design was applied. Study sample consisted of 1) three faculty instructors, 2) seven registered nurse practitioners who were staff nurses in three pediatric wards and voluntarily participated in the study and 3) fifty two nursing students which were in the 5th semester of nursing BSc. program and had eligible criteria to enter the study. Students were allocated randomly to the intervention (n=28) and control (n=24) groups. Participants in the control group, initially started their internship period in 3 pediatric wards and were evaluated by faculty instructors regarding their clinical skills at the end students in the intervention group, then started their clinical training course in the same ward as control group, but their clinical education was conducted by the nurse practitioners who voluntarily participated in the study and trained initially in the nursing faculties&apos skill lab. Students&apos clinical skills were evaluated by nursing mentors via some instruments at the end of the educational period in addition, clinical education outcomes and nursing students&apos satisfaction of achievement to apprenticeship goals were assessed at the end of the training period. Data were analyzed using the statistical tests including Chi square, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whiney U, and t-test in SPSS.

Results: Considering students demographic characteristics, both groups were homogenous. There was a significant difference in the students&apos clinical skills between two groups (P<0.001). A significant difference was shown in the nursing mentors and faculty instructors&apos satisfaction of application of cooperative education method between both groups (P=0.004). No significant differences were found between students&apos satisfaction of reaching to educational outcomes between both groups (P=0.058). There were also no statistical differences between nursing mentors and faculty instructors&apos satisfaction of achieving to clinical education outcomes (P=0.109).

Conclusion: According to this study, CTP is an effective approach in clinical education and development of clinical skills for nursing students therefore,

application of this method is recommended in clinical nursing education.

Background & Aim: Physical and psychosocial problems along with the changes in life style, put hemodialysis patients under pressure. It seems that social support decreases psychological stresses and improves quality of life. This study aimed to describe hemodialysis patients&apos perceptions on their social supports and related factors.

Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study is a part of a larger study. All patients (n=202) referred to the hemodialysis units of Iran University of Medical Sciences were recruited to the study during a four-months period. Data were collected using "Personal Resources Questionnaire" (PRQ 85-PART 2) and analyzed using SPSS v.14.

Results: Findings revealed that the most patients (64.9%) had perceived social support at high levels. There were significant relationships between social support with economic status, gender and marital status (P<0.05). Findings also indicated that the statements of "I enjoy doing little extra things that make another person&aposs life more pleasant" and, "I belong to a group in which I feel important" had the highest and lowest scores respectively.

Conclusion: Regarding the variety of perceptions in hemodialysis patients on social support and its related factors, nurses can prevent social isolation of these patients through identification of high risk groups and can also reduce their stresses and help them to improve their quality of life by providing adequate supportive interventions.

Background & Aim: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in young women. Although dysmenorrhea is not life threatening, it can have adverse effects on quality of life. Various treatments are offered for dysmenorrhea including vitamin E supplements. This study investigated the effect of vitamin E on primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods & Materials: In this before-after clinical trial, 200 female students who suffered from primary dysmenorrhea were recruited to the study at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. First, they filled a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the pain measurement chart (duration and severity). Then, they were divided into three groups: low, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea groups. Vitamin E (200 mg) tablets were administered to them and they were requested to have them once/day for five days (two days before and three days after the beginning of the menstruation). They filled the pain measurement chart (duration and severity) after two treatment periods. Data were analyzed using t-student, chi-square, and variance analysis tests in SPSS software.

Results: The age of the students ranged 19-26 years old. The severity of dysmenorrhea was mild, moderate, and severe respectively in 28%, 60%, and 14% of the students. The mean of painful menstrual days was 2.05 in the first month, and 2.08 in the second month before using vitamin E. After using vitamin E, painful menstrual days were 1.63 in the first month and 1.64 in the second month. Regarding duration of painful days, all of the participants felt pain in the first day of menstruation. After using vitamin E, about one sixth of the participants in the first month and one fifth of them in the second month had no pain at first day. The severity of pain was 5.18 before using vitamin E that decreased to 3.40 after the intervention.

Conclusion: Vitamin E administration in women, who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea, significantly reduces the severity and duration of pain. It can be used as an alternative treatment method in affected women.

Background & Aim: Privacy is one of basic rights of the patients. Privacy becomes important for the adolescents when they hospitalize in an unfamiliar environment. This study aimed to compare the perceptions of inpatient adolescents with nurses on the observance of privacy and its importance.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 175 nurses and a convenience sample of 180 inpatient adolescents who had met the inclusion criteria were recruited to the study. Data was gathered using a questionnaire. Man-whitney u and kruskal-wallis statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: The results showed that there was significant differences between nurses&apos and inpatient adolescents` perceptions on the observance of privacy and its importance (man-whitney u, P<0.001). The most important priority regarding the privacy from nurses&apos point of view was "covering the unnecessary parts of the body while caring" whilst it was "providing a pleasant decorated environment, telephone, toilet and bath in room, and hospitalization in a room with peers" from the adolescents&apos point of view. The most observed case about privacy from the nurses&apos point of view was "taking immediate action to help the teenagers if necessary" whilst, from the adolescents view, it was "calling them with their favorite names".

Conclusion: The mean perceptions of nurses were higher than the adolescences toward observance of privacy and its importance. The results can guide nurses to improve quality of care for this group.

Background & Aim: Blended E-Learning is an educational method which has been used recently in higher education worldwide. So, it seems that it is crucial for the Iranian academic members to accept it as a new educational method. This study was conducted to investigate attitudes of the faculty of Nursing and Midwifery School at Tehran University of Medical Sciences toward blended E-learning.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, all faculty members of Tehran University of Medical Science (n=60) were recruited to the study. Data were gathered using validated and reliable self-designed questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: The response rate was 93.33% (n=56). Most of the respondents (85.7%) were female. The mean age was 44.88 (SD=5.6). The years of teaching ranged from 5-30 years (mean=16.75). The majority of the respondents (66%) had positive attitude toward blended e-learning thirty four per cent had completely positive attitude and none of them had negative attitudes. About 41% reported that they were eager to provide their course syllabuses according to this approach and 87.5% said that they were willing to attend the blended e-learning education workshops. There were no significant relationships between demographic variables and the attitudes. There was a significant relationship between willing to attend the workshops and positive attitude toward blended e-learning (P=0.012).

Conclusion: According to the positive attitude of the respondents toward blended e-learning, it is recommended that further studies take place in order to design and implement the approach in formal education in the school of Nursing and Midwifery of Tehran University of Medical Science.

Background & Objective: However, pregnancy is a common event among reproductive-age women, it is often stressful. Physical and emotional changes can alter the ability of women to carry out their usual roles. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life in pregnant women and its related factors.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 600 pregnant women referred to the prenatal clinics of Kashan University of Medical Sciences were selected randomly. Then they were asked to complete the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) to assess the quality of life. The results were analyzed using t-test, c², and ANOVA in SPSS.

Results: Results showed that the mean of quality of life in pregnant women was 61.18 13.21 (27.96-92.62). A higher score represented a better health status. Statistically significant differences were found in all of the quality of life dimensions in pregnant women except for social functioning (P<0.005). Quality of life was correlated with age (P=0.002), gestational age (P=0.017), gravidity (P<0.001), number of deliveries (P<0.001), income (P<0.001), husband&aposs support (P=0.017) and life satisfaction (P=0.011).

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that the quality of life in pregnant women was low. Thus, it is important for primary care providers to be aware of the changes in health status of pregnant woman to help them to promote their quality of lives.

Background & Aim: Health systems are challenging with increased health demands and limited economic status whilst, nurses shortages is a worldwide issue. Job dissatisfaction among nurses is a main cause for work leaves. The aim of this study was to assess job satisfaction among Iranian nurses and its related factors.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 1058 nurses were selected randomly during 1384-5. A two-sectioned self-report questionnaire was used which included demographic data and job satisfaction scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 12.0.

Results: Findings showed that only about one third of nurses were satisfied (satisfied & very satisfied) with their jobs (34.30%). In this study, main factors of job satisfaction were job safety (44.5%) as well as working environment and facilities (44.26%). On the other hand, nurses were dissatisfied with their job because of the described job duties (74.75%), managers&apos way of communication (70%), and their social position (70.3%).

Conclusion: Increasing the salary and payment, job equity, modifying working time and shift plans, providing opportunities for the nurses to further their carriers, and continuing education are important issues in increasing job satisfaction.

Background & Objective: Assessment of mental health is one of the most important aspects of assessing health status. Entering to the university is a challenging life event for young adults because students encounter with changes in social communication, expectations and roles. As a result, they are susceptible for experiencing stress and anxiety that could affect their functions. The aim of this study was to determine the mental health status and related stressors among Hamadan Medical Sciences University Students.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 180 medical sciences&apos students were selected using stratified sampling method. Data were collected using the Stressor questionnaire and the SCL90. Data were analyzed by SPSS.

Results: The study showed that 57.1 percent of the students were female. The ages ranged 18-22. Most of the students (94.8 percent) were single. Most of the students had no mental disorders (66.1%). Mild and moderate mental disorders were 29.4& and 4.4%, respectively. Mean of mental health score was 72.99 (±46.02). Mental health status was correlated with marital status, concerns about family, changes in religious activities, concerns about the future, working in the hospitals, problems with friends, sexual problems, and the number of experienced stressors (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Experiencing stressors threatens students&apos mental health status and provide a potential cause for mental disorders.

Background & Aim: Nausea and vomiting is one of the major side-effects of chemotherapy. Due to complex nature of its management, both medical and non-medical therapies are recommended. This study aimed to investigate the effect of music therapy on chemotherapy nausea and vomiting in children with malignancy.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 children aged 8-12 who were under chemotherapy were recruited. After getting the current treatments, the children listened to a kind of music for 45 minutes at 6, 9, and 12 hours after the beginning of the chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting was measured using both numerical and descriptive scales every 8 hours for 24 hours after beginning of the chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using Willcoxon and Mcnemar statistical tests in the SPSS, version 11.5.

Results: The rate of nausea was declined significantly at the 16^th and 24^th hours after music therapy. Assessment of nausea by descriptive scale showed a decline only at 24^th hours after music therapy. The rate of vomiting did not show any significant difference between two stages.

Conclusion: Music therapy could decrease the amount of nausea in children with malignancy under chemotherapy however, it does not any effect on the rate of vomiting.

Background & Aim: Routine episiotomy is often considered unnecessary. Episiotomy is associated with short- and long-term morbidities such as suturing, possible bleeding, infection, urinary and fecal incontinences, and dyspareunia. It has also adverse effects on self-esteem and mother-infant bonding. This study aimed to determine the effect of perineal massage during second stage of labor on perineal outcome among nulliparous women.

Methods & Materials: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial. At 38-42 weeks of gestation, nulliparous women expecting normal vaginal delivery of a singleton were asked to join the study. Two hundred and four women were randomly allocated into the intervention and control groups. Participants signed the consent forms. In the intervention group, during the pushing time in the second phase of labor, the midwife inserted two fingers inside the vagina and used a sweeping motion gently to stretch the perineum. The control group received routine care. The rates of episiotomy and laceration were calculated.

Results: In the intervention group, the rate of intact perineum, episiotomy, and laceration were 43.5%, 16.5%, and 40%, respectively and in the control group, they were 2.4%, 80% and 17.6%, respectively (P<0.001). In the intervention group, the first- and second-degree lacerations were 28.2% and 11.8%, respectively but, the third and fourth degree lacerations were not seen. In the control group, first, second, and third degree lacerations were 4.7%, 7.1%, and 5.9%, respectively (P<0.001). The fourth degree laceration was not seen. The mean duration of the second stage of labor in the intervention and control groups were 40.06±20.74 and 51.06±21.23 minutes, respectively (P=0.003). The Mean of the first minute Apgar score was 8.51±0.76 and 8.73±0.60 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean of the five minute Apgar score was 9.58±0.62 and 9.78±0.47, respectively (P=0.102).

Conclusion: This study showed that perineal massage reduces the rate of episiotomy and the degree of lacerations in the second stage of labor. Massage may increase blood flow, elasticity, relaxation, and softness of the perineum.

Background & Aim: Adjustment of nursing scheduling for specific periods of time to meet the needs of hospitals, nurses and patients is a time-consuming and challenging task for nursing managers. The aim of this study was to design a nursing scheduler system based on genetic algorithm to render better services to patients and overcome traditional scheduling problems.

Methods & Materials: In this applied research, we designed software based on the data derived from interviews with the personnel of two pediatric wards. We transformed the expert entity planning procedure to mathematic function using Genetic Algorithm Programming and create the schedule. We compared the system-designed schedule with the schedule that was written by experts in MATLAB software.

Results: The results showed that the system-designed schedule resulted in 57% reduction in the arrangement costs and 93% time saving for nursing managers in comparison with the expert-designed schedule during 6 months.

Conclusion: System-designed schedule had higher efficiency than the expert-designed one. It entailed higher efficiency of managers and higher job satisfaction of nurses. It also reduced problems of working with paper schedules. Nurses&apos preferences and hospital requirements could be taking into account, as well. Since we used the limited data gathered from two selected wards for writing the program, the program should be modified based on the data provided from other wards. Further studies are needed to design similar systems with more details in order that it can be available in various wards of hospitals.

Background & Aim: Preeclampsi which is a common and important disorder in pregnancy is one of the three leading causes of maternal mortality. It is worthy to find out an appropriate screening test for it. This study aimed to assess serum hematocrit level as a screening test for preeclampsia.

Methods & Materials: Using a randomized stratification, 660 women who were in the 24-28 weeks of gestation were recruited to the study from a prenatal clinic of Taamin Ejtemaei hospital in Tehran. Data were collected through observations and interviews. Data were recorded in a questionnaire and recording form. The women were followed up until delivery. Data were analyzed in SPSS.

Results: There was significant differences in 24-28 weeks serum hematocrit levels in preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women (P<0.001). There were 58.6% sensitivity, 88.9% specificity, 33.7% positive predictive value, and 95.7% negative predictive value for serum hematocrit.

Conclusion: A Serum hematocrit level in 24-28 weeks of gestation is a simple and inexpensive test that can help to detect high-risk preeclamptic women.

Background & Aim: Communication is one of the basic concepts which nursing students must learn. Nurse instructors&apos behaviors have key role on effective clinical education. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of situational leadership model on nursing students&apos communication competency.

Methods & Materials: In this before-after trial, we recruited the students who had medical & surgical practicum in the second semester and summer of 1385-86 in public hospitals in Arak. They were selected randomly and then allocated to case (n=40) and control (n=35) groups. In the first week of practicum (before), we measured the students&apos communication competency using a self-structured questionnaire. For intervention, we defined behavioral objectives and designed a diagnosis form for identifying level of maturity and a feedback form for the students. After orientation of the students with behavioral objectives, we accompanied with main instructors based on their maturity levels in caring and applied effective leadership style. Along with the practicum period, we supervised the students&apos level of maturity in different nursing care skills. In the end (after), we measured the students&apos competency. We analyzed the data in SPSS, version 13.

Results: The results showed that there was significant difference before and after the intervention (P<0.001). Also, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.001). Self-evaluation showed no significant differences between students&apos competency in two groups (P=0.335).

Conclusion: The situational leadership model would promote nursing students&apos communication competency.

Background & Objective: High levels of assertiveness and low levels of anxiety are important factors that result in suitable communication. They also increase intellectual abilities, abstract thought, power & autonomy, and personal well-being among nursing and midwifery students. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety among midwifery and nursing students.

Methods & Materials: In this correlational, cross-sectional study, 173 nursing students (68 males & 105 females) were recruited using census and rational methods. Seventy seven midwifery students were also recruited using census method. Data were collected using a self-report tool including "personal information form", "Trait Spilberger Anxiety", and "Assertion Inventory" (AI) of Gambrill & Richey. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: Results showed that more than half of the nursing and midwifery students (59.5% and 59.7%, respectively) had moderate assertiveness. Also, 43.3% and 36.4% of them had moderate and high levels of anxiety. Pearson correlation test revealed that assertiveness and anxiety had negative correlations in nursing (r=-0.51, P<0.001) and midwifery (r=-0.449, P<0.001) students. Some demographic variables had significant correlations with assertiveness and anxiety among the students.

Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety and their effect on mental health, as well as educational and occupational functions of the students, more attention is needed to pay to theses issues. Also, it seems that appropriate interventions should be planned to increase assertiveness and to decrease anxiety among the students.

Background & Aim: Drug addiction, especially addiction to Ecstasy has ruinous effect on lives. Lack of knowledge is the most important cause of Ecstasy use among young adults. Research studies showed that students use these pills in order to get comfort and to overcome grieves. Addiction to ecstasy has been increased in Iran in recent years. This study was carried out to assess the factors associated to Ecstasy use in students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 students using clustered, random sampling. Data collection tool was a structured valid and reliable questionnaire containing 28 questions in two sections. Data were analyzed using Student t-test, ANOVA and chi-square tests.

Results: Results indicated that the prevalence of Ecstasy use was 1.5%. Prevalence of alcohol and cigarette use was 1.5% too. Mean score of knowledge on Ecstasy was 9.8% (SD=3.8). Knowledge of the female students was higher than the knowledge of male ones. About 86.7% of the students took Ecstasy in order to end grieve due to family problems. Most important associated factors to Ecstasy use were: positive attitude toward Ecstasy use, lack of knowledge (96.5%), peer pressure (96%), and lck of parents&apos attention to their young children (94.5%).

Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about complications of addiction to Ecstasy is the most important factor leading to addiction among students. Living in places such as dormitories and rented houses, and lack of parents&apos control over their children can be important factors related to addiction of students to Ecstasy, as well.

Background & Aim: Unwanted pregnancy is one of the most important causes of mother and child mortality. It may end up to illegal abortion and result in inevitable physical and psychological consequences. This study aimed to determine the correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 229 pregnant women using random sampling. Women with at least one alive child were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive& analytical statistical tests.

Results: The mean age was 30.7. The mean age at marriage was 19.7. Of all women, 32.3% had unwanted pregnancy. The results showed that there were significant relationships between age of marriage (P<0.05), current age of women (P<0.05), level of education (P<0.05), No. of children (P<0.01), employment (P<0.05), and income (P<0.01) with unwanted pregnancy.

Conclusion: The prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancy was high in the studied population. Educational programs regarding correct methods of contraceptive usages are required.

Background & Aim: The present research attempted to investigate the effect of time management training on work-life conflict among two hospitals&apos nurses.

Methods & Materials: In this randomized trial, we recruited all nurses of two public hospitals (n=106) in Hamadan and Tehran according to the inclusion criteria. We used balanced (permuted) block randomization for assigning the study sample into control (n=53) and intervention (n=47) groups. Six individuals did not participate in the study. Data were collected using two instruments: 1) work-family conflict scale and 2) time management behaviors scale. For content validity, ten experts in the field of the study commented on the items. The reliability coefficients (Cronbach&aposs alpha) for these scales were 0.86 and 0.75, respectively. All participants completed the questionnaires at baseline. The time management skills were taught in the intervention group for eight hours. One month later, all participants in two groups completed the questionnaires again.

Results: Considering the baseline characteristics, the groups were homogenous. Independent sample t-test indicated no significant differences between the two groups in all dimensions before the intervention (P>0.05). There was significant difference between two groups in the work-family conflict after the intervention (P<0.001). Also, the paired t-test showed significant difference in work-family conflict before and after the intervention in the intervention group (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to our findings in the present research, time management training intervention had positive effect on work-family conflict among hospital nurses.

Background & Aim: Labor refers to a chain of physiologic events that allows a fetus to undertake its journey from the uterus to the outside. Friedman (1954) described a sigmoid pattern for labor. This study was carried out to compare the pattern of labor progression in nullipara women of Fasa with the Friedman&aposs labor curve.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 619 nulliparous women aged 18-35 who had term delivery and had no serious disease. In order to data analysis, we used one way ANOVA for comparing the means, and fixed effect of regression models in reverse method for curves drawings.

Results: In all of the subgroups, effacement rate increased by increasing the cervical dilatation. Mean of dilatation rate was significantly higher in induced group than the other groups. Duration of the active phase was longer in the group that had sedation than the other two groups. Means of the duration of active phase and second stage were significantly lower in our study than the durations in the Freidman&aposs study (P<0.001) (3.87 hours vs. 4.9 hours and 52 minutes vs. 57 minutes, respectively). We did not observe the deceleration phase in our study.

Conclusion: The pattern of labor progression differed from the Freidman&aposs curve and had not sigmoid shape. The most important factor in latent phase was the time of admission to the labor ward.

Background & Objective: Research utilization is an important way to extent the knowledge in nursing practice. It empowers the nursing profession. Research utilization is a new paradigm in Iran&aposs nursing care. This study aimed to assess the extent of research utilization in nursing clinical practice in Tehran, Iran.

Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional study. The clinical nurses with at least one year of work experience were selected through a multistage stratified sampling method. They completed a five-sectioned self-report questionnaire. The scores were categorized into high, intermediate, and low. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test in SPSS.

Results: Findings revealed that the research utilization in 66.9% of the nurses was low. There was significant relationships between the extent of research utilization and the level of education, professional condition, clinical setting, research activities, work shift, job satisfaction, and English language skills.

Conclusion: The majority of nurses&apos practice is not according to the research findings. We need to find appropriate strategies to enable us to utilize the research findings.

Background & Aim: Breastfeeding is the most cost-effective, health-promoting, and disease-preventing activity that new mothers can perform. Many researches have focused on identifying factors that influence breastfeeding initiation and duration. An important and modifiable factor is the perceived self-efficacy of mothers for breast feedings. It refers to a mother&aposs perceived ability to breastfeed her newborn and is a dominant variable in the duration of breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between self-efficacy and breastfeeding.

Methods & Materials: A descriptive, longitudinal, analytic approach was used in this study. The three-part questionnaire was administered to the eligible pregnant women (437 pregnant women) who were at least in 37 weeks of gestation and intended to breastfeed. They were then contacted again at one and four months postpartum to determine their infants&apos feeding level and method. The questionnaire was re-administered to the participants at that time.

Results: The results showed that 80.4 percent of participants had exclusive breastfeeding during one month. There was no significant relationship between antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and the breastfeeding. The self-efficacy was significantly related to breastfeeding outcomes at one month. Mothers with high self-efficacy were significantly more likely to breastfed their babies exclusively at one and four months postpartum than the mothers with low self-efficacy.

Conclusion: Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy is significantly related to breastfeeding duration and level. Measuring breastfeeding self-efficacy not only identifies high risk mothers, but also provides important information to health care providers in providing support to new mothers.